One of the highest compliments in my field is a simple one: “He’s a Serious Guy.” People often use the throwaway phrase, “Oh, he’s a good guy,” which is the political equivalent of “I heard he’s never been convicted of a felony” or “I know him,” which translates to “That ratbag sonofabitch better stay the hell away from this campaign.”

But being a Serious Guy in my world means that people can rely on you. It means people can trust your political judgment and experience. It means when the day is going all to hell, you’ll be found working the problem and not in a fetal position under your desk. It means you’re cool under political fire, thinking through problems beyond the ringing phone, the screaming reporter, and the dead intern. It means you’re mindful of how the actions you and your client are about to take will look to the outside world, no matter how tough the situation.